Represents Switzerland’s interests in the United States of America and provides services to Swiss nationals in the District of Columbia (DC), the States of Delaware (DE), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Maryland (MD), Missouri (MO), Nebraska (NE), Virginia (VA), West Virginia (WV), as well as in the Insular Areas of the United States of Northern Mariana Islands (MP), Guam (GU).

support Swiss representations in safeguarding Switzerland’s interests and in emergencies involving Swiss citizens abroad. In an emergency the representation responsible (embassy or consulate-general) must be contacted immediately.

A selection of websites explaining how Switzerland is structured and how it functions, providing you with the information you will need to form an opinion and exercise your political rights from overseas

Please contact the Embassy of Switzerland or the Consulate General of Switzerland which is in charge for your place of residence *) when you want to register or unregister as a resident, when you need a new Swiss passport or Swiss identity card, have moved or wish to apply for Swiss citizenship. The entire selection of services offered can be found in the dropdown list to the right.

Swiss citizens who get into difficulties abroad, also can ask for advice and help from their Swiss representation.

*) You can find out which Swiss representation is in charge for your place of residence by clicking on the tab "Representations" in the grey ribbon above.

The magazine for the Swiss Abroad appears six times a year and provides information about what is happening at home and the activities of Swiss associations abroad. It also answers administrative questions.

According to the Federal Constitution, the goal of Swiss foreign policy is ensuring Switzerland’s independence and security and promoting the nation’s welfare. Through its foreign policy, Switzerland also makes a contribution to the alleviation of need and poverty in the world, the respect for human rights and the promotion of democracy as well as to the peaceful coexistence of peoples and the conservation of natural resources.

Social security for Swiss citizens abroad

You are a Swiss citizen, without residency in Switzerland and are registered in the register for Swiss citizens abroad. You now find yourself in financial difficulties which you are unable to manage with your own resources. The Swiss representation responsible for your place of residence abroad can advise and help you to find a solution. It can also help Swiss nationals who are temporary abroad. Do not hesitate to contact your responsible Swiss representation.

The Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation (SR 101) stipulates in Article 6 that “All individuals shall take responsibility for themselves and shall, according to their abilities, contribute to achieving the tasks of the state and society.”

The Federal Act on Swiss Citizens and institutions abroad (SR 195.1 Article 24) stipulates that social assistance is provided only to Swiss citizens abroad who are unable to support themselves either with their own resources, through assistance of a private nature or with the help of the country of domicile.

If you have exhausted all the resources available to you (including from family or friends, or the country of domicile) you may apply for social assistance from Switzerland through the Swiss representation responsible for your place of domicile abroad.

Swiss representations work closely with the Section for Social Security for Swiss Citizens Abroad (SAS). It is this unit that decides on all requests for social assistance by Swiss citizens abroad.

You will find more information on social assistance for Swiss citizens abroad on the SAS webpage.